Where grace abounds

Think Outside The Box?

While reading the local newspaper this morning, I noticed this article by “Reverend” Kati L. Houts, the senior pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of El Paso. In her article entitled, “Think Outside The Box and See World In New Ways,” she opines that our society needs to “think out of the box” regarding same-sex marriages.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_14157579

A quote from the article regarding “diversities”:

“Those who interpret the Bible literally refuse to look at life or people in all their diversities. These diversities are gifts from God and add to the richness and beauty of creation. Thinking outside the box requires openness to new ways of seeing the world and a willingness to explore.”

The word we need to replace “diversities” with in the above paragraph, is the word “perverse,” and then add “lifestyles” to it. For “Reverend” Houts’ benefit, Christians don’t refuse to look at life or people in all their diversities, we look at life through the eyes of faith (Romans 10:17), and come to the only conclusion possible – that homosexuality and same-sex marriages are perverse in God’s eyes – an “abomination” worthy of death (Romans 1:25-27; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13).

The “Reverend” goes on to say:

“The issue of same-sex marriage will never be solved by the various religious factions.”

She is correct in this statement, because God’s decrees are not based on “various religious factions” but are based upon His sovereignty and authority as Creator.

She then states two words that are the downfall of religious entities, “I believe” instead of “What does the Bible say” on the matter? http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2006/01/07/i-believe-or-the-bible-says/

“Reverend” Houts then states:

“The benefits of a legal marriage do not apply to those who choose not to marry or those who cannot legally marry due to an antiquated law that defines marriage as only being between a man and a woman.”

Yes, God’s law regarding marriage being between a man and a women is indeed “old” (about 6,000 years worth), but certainly not “antiquated.” It’s still in effect today (Matthew 19:1-6). Then she quotes the definition of marriage from Merriam and Webster’s online dictionary. Fortunately, God’s law is not based on that dictionary.

Lastly, “Reverend” Houts praises God for “thinking outside the box!”

The only “box” the “Reverend” is going to be “thinking out of,” is the box the undertaker will put her in at her demise. Then, she will face the Creator in person. Only then will she come to realize the results of her “diversified” thinking.

Brethren, the world is one sad shape. May God give us the spiritual backbone to stand up and preach/teach the totality of God’s truth without reservation (Philippians 2:12-16; cf. Acts 20:17-27).

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Your emphasis that “homosexuality and same-sex marriages are…worthy of death” seems curious to me. Perhaps I’m overly sensitive due to recent developments in Uganda (http://www.getreligion.org/?p=22731). Perhaps you intended a more generic “the wages of sin is death,” but I’m uneasy that you supported your statement by citing the passage from Leviticus that dictates capital punishment for a variety of acts including cursing of parents, adultery, incest, homosexual sex, bestiality, sex with a menstruating woman, etc.

Would you elaborate further on what you meant by “homosexuality and same-sex marriages are…worthy of death”?

Jonathan, the Scriptures that I mentioned in my article (Romans 1:25-27; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13) tell me that those folks who commit such acts “are worthy of death” (Romans 1:32). The reading in Leviticus 20:13 tells me that those who participate in such abominable acts, “shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”

I’m just citing these passages in order to indicate God’s view of such activity. If we are faithful Christians, our view must be the exact same view of sin that God has. When He states (through Moses) that an activity is “an abomination” (Leviticus 20:13) and states through the inspired apostle Paul that engaging in this activity is “worthy of death” (Romans 1:32), my only conclusion has to be that homosexuality, if not repented of, is (1) “an abomination” and is (2) is “worthy of death.”

Jonathan, there is no question that under the law of Moses, the death penalty (physical death) for the practice of homosexuality was in force (Leviticus 20:13), however, there is no capital punishment of this practice under the present laws of the United States. We know from Romans 13:1-7, that as law abiding citizens, we are to uphold and obey the laws of our land.

Thus, the practice of homosexuality is not a crime worthy of capital punishment in our country (under man’s law). However, in God’s mind, the practice of homosexuality is still a capital offense, “worthy of death” (Romans 1:32-KJV), not only physical death, but spiritual death as well. Even though folks who engage in this kind of “abomination” do not incur “physical death,” they will not escape God’s judgment of “spiritual death,” if their abominable activity is not repented of (Revelation 21:8; cf. Acts 17:30-31). This “spiritual death” is associated with the phrase “second death” in Revelation 21:8. Believe me when I say that none of us want to undergo that “second death” (eternal separation from God – Isaiah 59:1-2). We all will die physically one day (Hebrews 9:27), but none of us has to die spiritually. That will be our choice – not God’s choice (2 Peter 3:9).

Note that some Christians had once engaged in this activity (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) – note vs. 11, “and such were some of you”, but they had obviously repented of that activity in vs. 11, because the text reads: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

Lastly, if you are asking me whether or not I approve the death penalty for homosexuals, let me answer the question in this manner. Know that I am not judge, jury, and executioner when it comes to condemning homosexual conduct or lifestyle – only God, who knows the motives of the heart can carry out the proper judgment on such conduct of individuals (Romans 14:7-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

However, as a Christian, my view towards sin of any kind, must be the same view as God views it, otherwise I will be condemned as well (cf. 2 John 1:9-11). God does not condone sin (Habakkuk 1:13; Psalm 5:5) – thus, I must not condone sin. If God has determined that homosexuality is a sin, I must view it as a sin, no matter if there is or isn’t a capital punishment against it.

As Christians, we cannot “hate” the homosexual, but we must “hate” the homosexual lifestyle, loving the homosexual enough to persuade him or her to change their mindset and direction of life to comply with God’s directives on the matter, God’s law always superseding man’s law.

Thanks for the elaboration. As far as I can tell, you seem to be saying that homosexual practices (like other sins) jeopardize one’s eternal fate…rather than support for a physical judgment. That’s what I assumed.

Anyway, I recommend starting with the adulterers. The fields are white unto harvest.